Rep. Scott Peters on Monday awarded La Jolla resident Donald Breitenberg a long overdue Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Breitenberg joined the Army on March 1, 1942, at the age of 17 and served as an infantryman in Europe, earning a Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. But he never received the Bronze Star, which he was due for service in a combat zone.
“It was my honor to give Donald Breitenberg this long overdue recognition for his brave service,” Peters said. “Getting our San Diego World War Two veterans the recognition they have earned is the very least we can do to honor our greatest generation and the sacrifices they made for our nation.”
After the ceremony, Breitenberg reflected on his service, including jumping into France seven hours before the D-Day landings, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, and liberating a German concentration camp.
“It just opens up a lot of doors and memories,” Breitenberg said of receiving the Bronze Star.
